Box



C. A. BURKHOLDER Aug. 14, 1956 BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, .1954

v INVENTOR.

CZ a ude ABurHmlder I l U United States Patent BOX Claude A. Burkholder, Fresno, Calif., assignor to General Box Distributors, San Francisco, Calif.

Application August 2, 1954, Serial No. 447,225

2 Claims. (Cl. 217--17) This invention relates in general to shipping boxes especially adaptedbut not limited-for use to contain fresh produce for transit to market.

The principal object of the instant invention is to provide a novel box structure comprised of composite paper and wood veneer sheet material, and open rectangular end frames of wood to which said material is secured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shipping box of the type described, which is light weight and economical to manufacture, yet strong, durable, and having no tendency to rack when subjected to the weight of the load or external pressures.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a shipping box, as above, wherein the end frames are of novel structural design, being effective to withstand substantial compression, both horizontally and vertically, particularly by reason of a unique joint used at the point of engagement of the end frame members; i. e. at the corners of the end frame where the top and bottom rails abut the end posts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shipping box which-in one embodiment-permits of the pulling of a vacuum on the contents during precooling, ventilation of such contents during transit, and water-drain from the box when the produce is ice packed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shipping box which is arranged so that the parts can be readily assembled in secured-together relation by power driven stapling and nailing mechanisms.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a shipping box wherein the bottom, sides, and top side flaps are a continuous length of composite paper and wood veneer sheet material, which material may be produced by means of the method illustrated in copending application, Serial No. 559,730, filed January 17, 1956, on Method of Manufacturing Composite Paper and Veneer Sheet Material. Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable box, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the shipping box as assembled; the View showing the top end flaps and the top side flaps in upstanding or open position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged exploded view showing one of the end frames and the corresponding end panel and top end flap.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing, in its initial flat form, the length of composite paper and wood veneer sheet material from which the bottom, side panels, and top side flaps are formed; the view including the end frames and corresponding end panels and top 'end flaps disposed above said length of sheet material preparatory to being secured in connection therewith.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end View of the box as closed for shipment.

2,758,739 Patented Aug. 14, 1956 Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic end elevation on reduced scale illustrating a modification.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, and at present to the embodiment of Figs. 1-4 inclusive, the box comprises open rectangular end frames, indicated generally at 1, and which are constructed of wood; such end frames being covered, from the inner face, by an end panel 2 having a top end flap 3 integral therewith at the upper edge. The numeral 4 indicates the horizontal line of bend between each end panel 2 and the corresponding top end flap 3.

Secured to and spanning between the end frames 1 are a bottom 5, side panels 6, and top side flaps 7. The bottom 5, side panels 6, and top side flaps 7 are formed from an elongated, rectangular length of composite paper and wood veneer sheet material, which length is shown in its initial flat position in Fig. 3, and which is indicated in such figure at 8.

Such length 8 of sheet material comprises outer runs or laminations 9 and 10 of paper, and an intermediate lamination which is made up of a plurality of transversely extending, full width, wood veneer sections or slats 11 which are relatively thin, with substantial spacing therebetween in a direction longitudinally of the sheet.

The outer runs or laminations 9 and 10 of paper are adhesively bonded to the wood veneer sections 11 on both sides, and in the space between said sections the paper is bonded together, as at 12, in the form of a reduced thickness, two-ply, central web.

The transversely extending wood veneer sections 11, which comprise the intermediate lamination, are predetermined in number and spacing in each length 8 of the sheet material, whereby when said length of sheet material is disposed in a given relation to and wrapped about the end frames 1, a certain number of said wood veneer sections 11 lie in the bottom 5, in the side panels 6, and in the top side flaps 7. Also, the arrangement is such that one of .the webs 12 is disposed at each lower corner of the end frames 1, and as such webs are flexible they readily bend about said corners, as at 13.

When the box is initially assembled, with the length 8 of sheet material wrapped about the end frames 1, the bottom 5 and side panels 6 are secured to said end frames by nails 14 driven through the material in the zone of the wood veneer sections 11. The top side flaps 7 are similarly nailed closed after the box is packed with produce.

With the length 8 of sheet material thus secured to the end frames 1 the bonded paper webs 12 between adjacent wood veneer sections 11, both in the bottom 5 and in the side panels 6, lie in spaced relation to the adjacent outer edge portion of the related end frame; the spaces being indicated at 15. Thi is a very important feature, as such spaces permit of the ready pulling of a vacuum on the contents of the box during precooling by the vacuum process; permit of ready ventilation of such contents during transit; and in those instances Where the produce pack is iced, water can readily drain through the spaces 15 at the bottom of the box.

The end frames 1 are of special construction, and each comprises a horizontal top rail 16, a horizontal bottom rail 17, and vertical end posts 18; such rails and posts being provided at the abutting endsi. e. at the corners of the endframe-with a novel joint, indicated generally at 19.

Each such joint comprises, on the related post 18, a miter-cut 20 which terminates short of the adjacent end and inner edge of said post; there being a vertical shoulder 21 between the miter-cut 20 and said adjacent end of the post, and a horizontal shoulder 22 between the inner edge of the post and said miter-cut.

The-correspondingend of'the rail 16 or 17 is formed with amatching miter-cut 23 which extends from'the-inner edge of said rail a distance less than the full width thereof, whereby to leave adjacent the outer edgea vertiQfll shoulder 24.

When each rail and-end= post are brought" together at adjacentends-themiterrcuts -20and 23 match; the inner edge of the rail seats on v the horizontal shoulder 22; and

the'verticalshoulders 21 and 24 abut:

With eaclr such jint-in--engagement-thereis, in addiftiontotheengaging-miter-cuts; abutting vertical andhorizontal surfaces, all of which assures" against undesirable rackin-g-of each end=frame '1, and 'which; -frame is abletowithstand-substantiab compression either" vertically or horizontally.

The joints 19 may, if desired, be glued, and additionallylamination of wood veneer sections 26', in abutting edge to-edge;rela-tion;so that each end'panel'2 is quite rigid or--stifi:; each such panel'being secured to the inner face of the corresponding endframe- 1" bystaples 27" driven through'saidpanelfrom theinside into the rails 16"and 17'; and-posts 1%. Glue also maybe used;

Eachtop end-flap 3*is an integral continuation of the. corresponding end"pane1-2;.but comprises only laminations 28-*of' paper adhesively b'onded'together. In other words, the wood veneer sections 26 of each-end'panel' 2 are omitted from the top end flap 3'.

After each; box is loaded with produce, the top end flaps 3am first infolded on the line .of bend4, followed by infolding of the topside flaps 7*ona line. of bend which occurs at certain of 'the webs 12, as indicated at 29; the final'step being the nailingofthe flaps7i' to the top rails-16-.

The paper, and the glue, ,used in the manufacture of the lengths 8,;of composite sheet material, and the composite. endpanels 2, including the top end flaps 3, is, water resistant ,so that 110.8.PP18Ciflb'lBinj1lfY to the box, asby lamination separation, occur when said box is usedfwith.

ice-packed 'produce, such as lettuce; Certain ones 30 .of 1

the wood veneer sections orslats are of materially greater thickness than the remainder. ofthe, slats, and such slats. 30are disposed .in the sheet Siduring theasscmblingon making of the same in such relation that said slats 30 1 will occupy positionson oppositesides .of the endjframes' I at the top thereof when theside and bottompanels of' sh'eet 8"are placed andsecured about, said framesin their proper relation thereto.

The purpose of such extra-thickness slats 30is two-fold.

For one thing, these thicker slats strengthen the box at the top against possible; buckling. or horizontal deformation or wracking before the top, flaps are fastened.

down, while enabling the; longitudinal sheathing of the box to be, as light as is practicable.

For another thing, when boxes are placed'inside-byside engagement with each other, as during shipmenhonly. the thick slats 30 contact each other, thus leaving longitudinal and vertical,ventilation spaces between the adjacent sides of adjacent boxes below such slats 30, which spaces are of course neededjfor cooling and preservation of fresh, produce being-shipped,

In those instances where the produce is ice packed in the. box, or inthose. instanccswhere vacuumcooli-ng and, subsequent ventilation is, desired, the box is, constructed as in Figs. l4 inclusive, for the purpose of providingthespaces-15-betweenthe webs12-and the adjav. cent bottom rail 17 and end posts 18, and which spaces serve the purpose hereinbefore described.

However, for certain types of dry packed produce, such as lemons or oranges, the spaces 15 are unnecessary, and for this kind of produce the box is formed as in Fig. 5, wherein the bottom 3.1, side panels 32, and top side flaps 33 are defined by a length ofwcomposite paper and wood veneer sheet material generally the same as indicated at in Pig: 3 except=that the'secti0ns3 P-of wood veneerhere lie in abutting edge to edge'relationin-said'bottom 31, side-panels 32," and -.top side 112111533. Inthisembodiment spacing between adjacent sections 34 of the wood veneer exists only a-t'the' point of bend about the corners of each end frame 35, as shown. The lower corners of bend are indicated at 36, while the upper corners of bend are indicated at37. At these corners 36 and 37 the sheet material this embodies Webs" corresponding to thoseindicated at '12"in"Fi'g.- 3:

This invention provides, in-eitherof its embodiments, a box h'aving' highlydesirablecharacteristics for the shipment of fresh produce; such characteristics 'includ inlightness, strength? convenience and economy of manufacture, ability to permit of vacuum cooling andsubsequent ventilation; and l the drainage of water 'frorn an iced-pack;

From the foregoing descriptionitwill bereadily seenthat. there-has been' prodnced' sucha box as will substantially fulfill the objects of the invention; as set forth herein;

While *this specification sets forth the present andpreferred construction ofthe-boX; still in practice such deviations-therefrorn mayybe resorted to as do not forma i departure from the-spirit oftheinvention, as defi'ned'by the" appended claims:

Having thus described the invention,- the following is claimedas new and useful, and upon whichLetters Patent are desired:'

1: A shippingb'ox, ineludingpaneled-end frames; and;

a bottom-and-side panel-s spa'nni-ngbetween I and secured to saidendframes;- in -which said 1 paneled end 1 frames each include=an-' initially-"open; rectangular, frame of wood; and' an end' panel of composite paper and wood veneensheetmaterial secured tolthe inner face ofthe frame;- said wood veneer' being in "sections between and 1 adhesively bonded to outer'larn-inations of paper, and said-*outer laminat-ions of paper extending from the upper" edge; of *thepanel and being adhesively bonded to-- gether toform a topend-flap;

21 A shipping-bbx; including paneled end frames, and abottomandside" panels spanning between and secured to;-said end frames; in-which said bottom and side panels comprise-a continuous length-of com-posite paper andslat material; the slatsextendin-g transversely of th'e sheet material between and adhesively bonded to outer- 1aminationsmfpaper; the-uppermost'slats in the side panels being -of--greater thickness than the remainder.

References-Cited dn the'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,-1235415- Steele. Jan. 5, 1915 1,217,852 Walkcr. Feb. 27, 1917. 1;,7,(14-,1 18t Balaco.ckt Mar. 5; 1929 2,Q7l,'9,62,v Balacock, Feb. 23,1937. 2,106,302 Lewis Jan. 25, 1938. 2,291,542., Filler July-28, 19.42 2,693,895 Elmendor-f. Nov 9; 1954-:

FOREIGN PATENTS 540,735 Great, Britain Oct, 28119411 

